Fruit picker&#39;s apparatus



Aug. 6, 1946. J. o. SAVAGE FRUIT P ICKERS APPARATUS Filed June 26, 19452 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V ENTOR.

' AUTO/M1576:

J. 0. SAVAGE FRUIT PICKER s APPARATUS Aug 1946.

Filed June 26, 1945 2 sh ets-sheet 2 INVTOR.

flT ORA EYS- latented Aug. 6 1946 I UNHTED STATES PATENT-QEE1QE2,405,453 a A v FRUIT PICKERS APPARATUS John 0. Savage, Trenton, N.Application June 26, 1945, Serial No. 601,619

3 Claims.

This invention relates to an apparatus designed for use by fruitpickers, the primary object of the invention being to provide awheelsupported frame adapted to be moved to a position to surround atree, so that fruit pickers standing on the ladders of the apparatus,will have ready access to the fruit to be picked.

An important object of the invention is to provide a device of thischaracter including a frame and ladders adjustably connected with theframe, so that the ladders may be moved to various positions withrespect to the limbs of the tree, for the convenience of the fruitpickers.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a fruit pickersapparatus which may be moved along a row of trees from which the fruitis to be picked, thereby eliminating the necessity of dismantling theframe in order to position it around a tree from which fruit is to bepicked.

With the foregoing and other objects in View which will appear as thedescription proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel details ofconstruction and combinations of parts hereinafter more fully describedand pointed out in the claims, it being understood that changes may bemade in the construction and arrangement of parts without departing fromthe spirit of the invention as claimed.-

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of a fruit pickers apparatus,constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a plan view thereof, illustrating the front and rear pivotedsections of the frame, as swung outwardly to permit the positioning ofthe apparatus around a tree.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the frame comprises curved uprights5 that have their-upper ends connected to the flanges E, forming a partof the members 1. These members I are tubular in formation and aresupported between the plates 8 and 9, the members 1 being secured to theplates by means of, the bolts ID that extend through the members I andplates. The plates 8 and 9 are further held in spaced relation withrespect to each other, by means of the tubular spacing member H, throughwhich the bolt l2 extends, the bolt I2 being of a length to extend anappreciable distance beyond the lower plate 9, as clearly shown by Fig.1 of the drawings.

The curved uprights 5 are secured in spaced relation with respect toeach other, by means of the rings I3 and [4, the ring l3 being disposedat a point slightly above the centers of the curved uprights 5, whilethe ring I4 is connected to the uprights 5, at points adjacent to thelower or free ends thereof. Each of these rings includes front and rearpivoted sections I5 which have their free ends connected by means of theplates "5 that are secured to the pivoted sections by means of the boltsl1 and winged nuts I 8.

Due to this construction, it will be seen that these pivoted sectionsmay be swung to their open positions as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 2

of the drawings, to permit the frame to be moved to a position tosurround a tree.

At the lower ends of the uprights 5, are supporting wheels l9 that aremounted in the forks 20 which in turn are secured to the uprights 5 bymeans of the bolts 2|.

The reference character 22 indicates ladders which are curved to conformto the general shape of the frame, the upper ends of the ladders beingpivotally connected with the arms 23, that in turn are pivotally mountedon the bolt l2 so that the ladders may be swung in the arcs of circlesto properly locate the ladders with respect to the limbs of the tree forthe convenience of the pickers in picking the fruit.

Pivoted arms 24 are connected with the ladders, and have hooks 25 formedat their free ends, which hooks are adapted to hook over the upper ringl3 to support the ladders in their adjusted positions.

Brace arms 26 are pivotally connected with the curved uprights 5, andthese arms 26 are pivotally connected with the flanges 6, by means ofbolts 21.

From the foregoing it will be seen that due to the construction shownand described, picking frames such as described, may be positioned atthe ends of rows of fruit-bearing trees, and the fruit pickers mayadjust the ladders with respect to the limbs of the trees, so that thefruit may be readily removed therefrom. After a tree has been stripped,the frame may be moved to the next tree of the row where the ladders mayagain be adjusted and the fruit readily removed.

What is claimed is:

1. A device of the class described, comprising a frame shaped to conformto the shape of a tree, said frame adapted. to be moved to a position toencircle a tree, ladders, and means for pivotally connecting the laddersto the frame for vertical and horizontal adjustment with respect to theframe.

2. A device of the character described, comprising a Wheel-supportedframe shaped to fit around a tree, said frame embodying curved up arounda tree, said frame'embodying curved up? rights, means for pivotallyconnecting the curved uprights at their upper ends, ring membersconnecting the curved uprights at points between the ends of theuprights, curved ladders pivotally connected at the top of the frame,said ladders extending to points adjacent to the bottom of the frame,and hooks pivotally connected with the ladders adapted to hook over oneof said ring members, whereby the ladders are supported in m elevatedpositions.

JOHN O. SAVAGE.

